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by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
After the smartphone revolution, it appeared that the days of the compact camera were done. How wrong we were. It’s true that a few years back, point-and-shoot options were few and far between. There were just a handful of options on the market, and some industry titans even left the market entirely. Despite the long-rumored demise of the compact camera, it seems that photo enthusiasts still desire a dedicated device without the distractions that come with a smartphone.
What is a compact or “point-and-shoot” camera? Just because a camera is “
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Birding is, by definition, the recreational hobby of observing and identifying wild birds in their natural habitat. Finding birds is the easy part. Just go outside and stop, look, and listen, and you’ll notice our feathery friends like you’ve never seen before. But how do we identify them? We need to consider a few physical attributes of the birds, from their overall shape to the length of their tail and more.
Birds come in all sorts of elaborate shapes, sizes, and color patterns that make them stand out, or in some cases, remain hidden from
by Shawn C. Steiner · Posted
Pop on a pair of (decent) sunglasses and not only are your eyes less strained, things just look better. The reason for this is likely the polarization effect. Colors may appear more saturated, bright blue skies can take on a deeper hue, and some pesky reflections just vanish. All of these can benefit certain photographs and make the circular polarizer filter one of the best—and most difficult—filters to use.
Exactly What Does a Polarizer Do?
It’s
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
For a beginner, few things seem more intimidating than photographing a wedding. A sense of anxiety is perfectly normal if you haven't yet spent much time in this field. It's important to remember that we all begin somewhere, and even the most experienced pros were also novices at one point. With practice and education, nerves begin to morph into confidence.
No two weddings are the same, but whether traditional or unconventional, the goal is to be properly equipped to document the key moments of the day. A
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
There is nothing that can replace the extreme close-up view of a rare bird in the wild. Binoculars can get you close but, if you want to look the bird in the eye or confirm that identification for your life list, you need a spotting scope. Spotting scopes pack incredible magnification in a generally simple and lightweight package that is
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Weddings are fast-paced events for photographers, and there’s so much to do. From portraits of the bride and groom to family formals, there’s much to cover, and we haven’t even scratched the surface yet. While all focus is on the bride, groom, and their families, there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes material to capture. As wedding photographers, you need to wear many hats, and that includes landscape, food, and product photography.
Proficiency in photographing product is a must, as there are many details and accoutrements to photograph
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Winter is one of the most exciting seasons for wildlife photography. Northern species return to their wintering grounds and bring life to an otherwise cold and barren landscape. Photographers and bird watchers alike yearn for this time of year, as owls and other birds of prey become more common. One of the most visited and coveted winter birdwatching spots in the US is the famous Sax-Zim Bog.
Nestled in the rural hills about an hour northwest of Duluth Minnesota, Sax-
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Composition in photography refers to the way in which we arrange visual elements in an image. It's how we position the subject in the frame and how all elements combine to create a visually appealing photograph.
All photographs © Mathew Malwitz
Expensive cameras and long lenses can only get us so far. It's not the gear that makes the photo, but the photographer. A creative and observant eye is the key to making visually pleasing photographs. These skills can be learned, and with practice, you'll be well on your way to creating strong
by M. Brett Smith · Posted
2025 was another banner year for B&H Explora, with more people visiting our blog than ever before. To celebrate (and say thank you to) our readership, we’re looking back at some of our most read articles, spotlighting the topics and trends that interested you most in 2025.
Filmmaking 101: Camera Shot Types
By Justin Dise
Our
by Luke Rollins · Posted
It's been a strong year for the L-Mount Alliance, who recently announced the addition of their tenth member Viltrox to bring a credible low-cost manufacturer into the fold for the future. The three pillars of the group—Leica, Sigma, and Panasonic—each had distinctive years in 2025, further entrenching in their proven lanes to build out an ecosystem that, as of the
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Lighting is the key to all photography. While elaborate, multi-light setups may appear to be the standard, the creative photographer can produce a seemingly endless range of images using just one light source. This guide is designed to help those beginners out there build the perfect one-light kit for portrait photography.
Why One Light?
I completely understand why multi-light “studio in a box” kits are tempting to beginner and budget-conscience photographers. Why spend hundreds of dollars on one light when you can get three lights complete
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
You’re probably aware that film has been making a comeback in recent years, but let’s be honest with ourselves. Did it ever really go away? Sure, it may have seen a dip in popularity at the dawn of the digital age, but many serious enthusiasts never stopped using it. Just ask the experts here at B&H! In fact, we asked some long-time film shooting experts here, “What’s your favorite film/camera combination and why?” Below, you’ll find their answers
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
There’s an old adage that gear doesn’t make the picture, it’s the photographer. This is partly true. A super-telephoto prime with a fast aperture will make quick work of busy backgrounds, and the faster focusing systems of high-end full-frame cameras will more easily track a bird’s eye in some of the most challenging lighting conditions. But there’s another factor to consider. At the heart of the image is a creative eye and technical proficiency. High-end camera gear only serves a purpose once you know what you’re doing.
In this guide, we’re
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Landscapes and wildlife are among the most challenging subject matter to capture well with a camera. Wildlife is unpredictable and despite your best efforts, will not respond to posing instructions. Landscapes are stationary but at the mercy of available light and weather conditions. All that being said, it is the unpredictable nature of landscape and wildlife photography that has earned these genres a very large, very dedicated, and very passionate following. The dedication of these photographers can make finding the right gift all the more
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
For landscape photographers, having the right equipment is everything. You want gear that is lightweight, rugged, and easy to travel with. Multipurpose gear that has a variety of practical applications when you’re out in the field never hurts either. If you are a landscape photographer or buying a gift for one, we have some great product recommendations for every budget.
Gifts Under $50
1. Multitools are a photographer's best friend, especially out in the field.